Elizabeth “Betty” Stevens was an engaged volunteer and a passionate community member whose love for Guilford planted the seeds that grew into The Guilford Foundation (TGF).

In 1972, Betty and her mother, Emma Berger, thought it was a shame that so many of the stately trees around the green had succumbed to storms, age, or disease and had never been replaced.  She met with the Board of Selectmen, who suggested that she form a committee to champion the project.

Betty recruited seven dedicated neighbors and friends who believed the town needed a service organization focused on community enrichment. TGF founders include Laurence Appleton (landscape architect), David Dudley (banker), Hugh Jones (architect), John Leffingwell (lawyer), Stanley Page (business owner/state senator), Betty Stevens (organizer/volunteer), and Tom Wuerth (town planner/architect).

The initial vision was to spark projects with seed money and to serve as a community resource to help good ideas become reality, guided by a focus on a common goal of bettering the community.

The Foundation Launch
The Shoreline Times published a story about the formation of the Foundation in January 1975.  Stevens explained, “Our purpose is to work with all of Guilford’s civic and business organizations to help beautify and preserve Guilford’s colonial charm and atmosphere. Although we are not limited to the downtown area, we prioritize drawing up a plan to replace trees around the historic Green.”

At this time, The Board of Trustees of the GSB (Guilford Savings Bank) voted to give $300 as start-up funding for this new community organization, with a pledge to provide three trees at the time of planting.

By December 1975, the team incorporated, chose to be named The Guilford Foundation, established an endowment model, chose the motto “The Greening of Guilford,” and planted 14 ornamental Bradford pear trees donated by organizations and individuals who also supported enhancing Guilford’s environment.  

Defining its Scope
The leadership team benchmarked the New Haven Foundation, finding affinity with its mission of bettering the New Haven community. They viewed the Foundation as a discretionary reserve fund to meet unexpected expenses and a resource to support the launch new programs and services.  

TGF adopted a unique source of income, a membership model with different levels of support, which remained in place for about 20 years. It also formalized bylaws and grant guidelines.    

At the first annual meeting on April 5, 1976, the leadership team discussed:  

• The first official project, planting trees across from the green in front of the stores and replacing broken curbing
• Potential projects, including installing uniform lighting around the Green and investigating the need for a volunteer resource center or service bureau
• A $50 gift to the Guilford Garden Club for a bicentennial planting on the green around the statue
• Membership numbers (122 residents) and assets on hand ($8,569)
• A new slate of officers, with Hugh Jones filling the role of president

A Sustainable Model
In the 10th Anniversary annual report (1985), President John Dillion cited how the organization shifted focus from beautifying the town’s center to embracing many diverse projects with significant community impact.  Examples cited include outreach for battered women, poetry readings, library lecture series, summer youth programs, engineering programs, special needs programs, town information mailings, building renovations, school art contests, and architectural inventories.

Fast forward to our 50th anniversary, and the success of the community foundation model is confirmed. From 1975 to 2025, the foundation’s growth was exponential.

• Asset Growth: from $8,500 to $7.9 million (value at the end of fiscal year-end)
• Grant Growth: $3,000 to $360,000 (annually)
• Fund Growth: from 1 to 77 charitable funds (total since inception)

As Executive Director Liza Janssen Petra said, “We are honored to be the stewards of the foundation, playing a small role in this project called the Guilford Foundation that will continue to roll forward long after we are gone. We are grateful for the vision and determination of the seven founders who established a charitable organization solely focused on using philanthropy to make Guilford a stronger community.”

Honoring Betty Stevens
As the founder and first president of TGF, Betty broadened the organization to include projects focusing on arts and culture, social services, beautification, and activities for youth and seniors.

After launching the Foundation, Betty contributed to Guilford far beyond trees. If any activity involved “the culture, the welfare, the quality of the community of Guilford, her name was likely to be upon its active membership roll…Rarely has a single individual contributed to the community and its people as effectively and as quietly as did Elizabeth Berger Stevens,” wrote Phil Dudley in The Shoreline Times. Her ability to serve, lead, and make a difference was especially noteworthy in her work with the Guilford Free Library, the Guilford Board of Education, and the Visiting Nurse Association. She did things that people know about and countless others that were anonymous.

Betty Stevens sowed a seed that has grown and spread over the past 50 years, positively impacting Guilford forever. After her death, a charitable fund was created in her honor: The Elizabeth Stevens Tree Fund. It keeps her legacy alive and ensures that the Guilford Green and its surroundings will continue to be filled with beautiful trees, now and for future generations.